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Risk Factors In International Trade

Although process automation facilitates better management international trade risks, latent risks still exist. Implementation of technologies not withstanding, international trade risks need to be managed in real time and on a totalitarian basis. The first of such risks is ramifications the slump in US economy can instill due to housing market crash. Volatility of financial markets with renewed oil market threats could trigger inflation and hikes in interest rates. The third most significant risk is the heightened scrutiny of exports due to security concerns, which makes managing international trade risks harder.

On the other hand, exporters’ risks include insolvency of the importer, protracted default in which the importer fails to pay off the due within the legal period after the due date and risk of rejection. On a far sight, export ban, possibilities of war, changes to the law/tariff or even confiscation of importers’ properties also count as major possible risks in an international trade.

-Possible Steps to International Trade Risk Mitigation

International banks provide with expert support and service to conduct international trade and international transactions rather safely.

Getting paid in an international trade is a different thing due to a number of factors that influence it. One must note that no amount of planning can entirely eliminate the payment risks in international trade and carefully resorting to your preferred mode of payment and hedging the risks besides securing proper credit insurance and credit checks on your customers before engaging with your trading partner is the safest way out.

-Regional Trade Organizations

International trade related disputes are resolved by the World Trade Organization which is a multilateral agency because it sets the rules that govern the global trading. There exist a few regional trade organizations but regulative powers are limited with them. Some quarters have raised fears that regional trade organizations can be used against them, which on the contrary has contributed to a messier situation.

-Availing Credit Can Help Mitigate Some Risks

One way to safeguard international trade is via credit insurance policy with multiple covers such as the potential insolvency through which the customer provides reimbursement, although to a limit. Products like Bills for Collection (BC) and Letters of Credit (LC) come in very handy in international trade situations. An LC is a bank-to-bank commitment of payment favoring the exporter and guaranteeing the payment against presentation of certain compliant documents. Both BC and LC are governed by regulations from ICC.